The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-21
HIRERNIAN BANQUET.
President Cleveland's Speech in Response
to the Toast THE President


to the Toast THE President
PHILADELPHIA, Seatember 17.-Three
hundred persons sat down to the Centen-
NAL Banquet OF the the Hibernian Society
this afternoon. After the members had
beeh seated few moments the President
arrived. As the President entered the en-
tire assemplage rose and amid cheers and
waving of bandkerchiefs the Chief Exscu
tive was escorted to q seat by the side of the
Chairman, Ex-Governor Andrew Curtin.
After q half. hour s iptermisslon, Chairman
Clinton raped for order and introduced
Gov. Green, of New Jersey, who responded
to the toast, 1.-THE Constitution of ths
United States" Then Charm IN Curtin,
after few moments intermission. intro.
duced President Cleveland, who spike as
follows:
II should hardly think my participation
in the centennial celebration satisfactory
If l had not the opportunity Of meeting a
representative society which, through
its antiquity and associations, bears
close relation to the events
of tie time we commemorate.
That you celebrate this occasion is a re-
hinder Of the fac. that in the troublous
and perilous days of our country those
whose names stood upon your roll of men,
bership nobly fought for the cause of free
government and for the homes which they
IOunQ upon our soil.
No society or corporation, 1 am sure,
has in its charter or Us traditions and
history, better or more valuable certifi-
cate of its patriotic worth and character
than you have, and which is found In the
wards of Washington, who, in 1772 declared
of the friendly SONS of st. Patrick, OF which
this ast ocistioD Is successor, that it al ways
has been HCted for the firm adhsrencs of
its members to the glorious cause in which
We engaged. These are priceless words,
and they render most fitting ths par which
the members of the Hibernian society to-
day are assuming.
81 notice upon q letter which received
from your secretary that one object of
your society is stated to be for the
relief of emigrants from Ireland
and this leads me to reflect now
nearly allied the love of country is to
kindly humanity, and how naturally such
a benevolent purpose OF this society as the
assistance and relief OF your stranger and
needy emigrants follows the patriotism In
which it had its origin. Long may the
Hibernian Society live and prosper; long
may Its benevolent, humane work be pros
ecuted, and when another centennial of
tie constitution is celebrated, may those
who shall then form its mem oership be as
fully inspired with patriotism. its history
and traditions, and ready to join in the
general fluctuations as the men about me
here
The speech elected most uproarious ap-
plause. AS the President started to leave
the ball the members formed in line aud
he was compelled to accord each q hand
shake. After the retirement of the Presi-
dent, Brigadier General Schoield respond
ed to the toast, 1.-The Army and Navy"
Governor Beaver to the "Thirteen Original
States" Among other speakers were
Governor Fitzhugh Lee, of Virginia, and
Engineer Melville of the Navy. Among
other visitors were many Governors of
States, Generals, Ecclesisstics and Diplo-
matg